COLUMBIA, S.C. – Before returning to the South Carolina football team as an assistant coach, Eric Wolford was busy trying to help protect Colin Kaepernick.

During Wolford’s two seasons as assistant offensive line coach for the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick passed for 3,856 yards with 22 touchdowns and 9 interceptions, to go along with 724 yards rushing.

Kaepernick, who opted out of his contract with the 49ers earlier this year, is having difficulty finding another job playing quarterback in the NFL. On Tuesday morning, Wolford, now in his second stint as the Gamecocks offensive line coach, was asked if he thought Kaepernick deserved a chance to still play in the league.

“I think that’s obviously a difficult situation, because I see things from a different perspective,” Wolford said. “I was there. I know what went on. A lot of times, things are saturated in the media about what went on and what took place, what’s important to each individual. I think everyone has their own right there.

“I think it’s definitely something very awkward to look at, when you think this guy is not on a football team somewhere. The thing is, I’m not in the National Football League anymore. I’m here with the Gamecocks, the SEC and I’ve got my own sandbox to take care of and my sandbox is full right now.”